Topography of Bam

Bam is basically Rukni Valley bounded by hills in three sides-west, south and east making Bam a treasure –trove of natural beauty. Rukni, a hilly river originating from Mizoram enters Bam at Bishnpur, coordinate 24.442242° N & 92.796534° E, and winds through the plains with gentle drainage gradient, 20 km from south to north through Bam dividing it in two parts horizontally before leaving Bam near Ramprsadpur, to join Sonai River at Sundari Part I in the South East of Kabuganj, after travelling a distance of 6 km from Ramprasadpur.

Rukni river flowing gently after entering Bam from hills of Mizoram:Photo by Manjur Ahmed Laskar (Click to enlarge)

Of the total 281.87 sq. km area of Bam, 185.96 sq. km area is reserved and unclassed forest constituting 65.91 % of total land area of Bam. Only 95 sq. km area of Bam land area representing 34.09% is revenue villages characterised by plains of Rukni valley scattered with small hillocks (tillas) in between presenting astounding beauty. It is generally high land with several rivulets joining Rukni as its tributaries serving as natural drainage. Of the 39 forest villages of Bam 27 are located in 142 sq. km reserved and unclassed forest area bounded by Sonai river in the east, Mizoram in the south and Bhagabazar Saiphai NEC Mizoram road in the west. Other 10 forest villages are scattered in another 27 sq. km reserve and unclassed forest areas in South West border of Bam touching Mizoram in the western bank of Rukni and 2 FVs are in the Rengti Hills. Most   of the revenue villages are lined up on both banks of the river Rukni throughout the valley. section 

Satellite view of Central Bam, east of Rengti Hills

(click to enlarge)

P.S.: To be continued in the next section - "Flora and Fauna of Bam"